01
Initial inspection & disassembly
The build begins on the lift at Cardiff Motorsport in Langenfeld: the car is inspected in detail, stripped down and prepared for racing.
VÖLKEL Racing
Workshop story · 2026
Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC · Group A
Turning a 500 SEC into a race car
In just a few months, Cardiff Motorsport transformed the large Mercedes coupé into a race-ready DHLM car for the Nürburgring.
The project
One goal: ready for the Nordschleife
The original plan was to race a Mercedes 500 SLC. However, the DHLM regulations quickly made one thing clear: with its more modern Group A homologation and the option of a manual gearbox, the 500 SEC offered far better conditions for racing on the Nordschleife. The choice fell on the 500 SEC – and the build began.
Turning the large Mercedes coupé into a fully fledged endurance race car required a roll cage, racing seats, a safety fuel cell, a fire suppression system, a revised drivetrain and countless detail improvements. All of this had to be completed in a short time so that the 500 SEC could make the start of its first DHLM race.
Workshop card
Checked ✓
- Vehicle
- Mercedes-Benz 500 SEC
- Homologation
- Group A
- Build
- Cardiff Motorsport, Langenfeld
- Drivers
- Jörg Sand & Markus Horn
- Series
- DHLM 2026 · Nürburgring
The workshop · Cardiff Motorsport, Langenfeld
The build – step by step
02
Roll cage & racing seats
A welded roll cage runs through the entire interior and into the rear parcel shelf – the foundation for driver safety in historic endurance racing.
03
Safety fuel cell & fire suppression system
A safety fuel cell and fire suppression system replace the production fuel tank in the boot – mandatory equipment for racing on the combined Grand Prix circuit and Nordschleife.
04
Drivetrain: from automatic to 6-speed manual
Converting the automatic transmission to a 6-speed manual gearbox is one of the key drivetrain modifications: it improves drivability, provides more flexibility in the gearing and gives the 5.0-litre V8 a more focused racing character.
05
Exhaust system & suspension
A new exhaust system and race-tuned suspension, together with the underbody, provide the technical foundation for a three-hour race distance.
06
Electrical system & interior
The wiring harness is adapted to the new safety and racing equipment, while the interior is stripped back to the essentials.
07
Bodywork & finishing touches
From the repaired sunroof to the wheel emblem, the final stage is all about the details that allow the 500 SEC to leave the workshop ready to race.
08
Vehicle wrap
Finally, the 500 SEC receives its racing design. The wrap provides the visible finishing touch to the Cardiff Motorsport build, and the car leaves the workshop race-ready and unmistakably part of VÖLKEL Racing.
Gallery
The 500 SEC in the workshop
Our thanks
Thank you, Cardiff Motorsport
Transforming the 500 SEC into a race-ready DHLM car was precision work under time pressure. The team at Cardiff Motorsport in Langenfeld made it possible with craftsmanship, racing experience and the commitment needed to get the car to the starting line on time. We would like to say thank you.
Visit Cardiff Motorsport →Next event
The next DHLM race is coming up
From 18 to 20 September 2026, VÖLKEL Racing and the 500 SEC will return to the Nürburgring for the next round of the DHLM.
All DHLM 2026 results & dates →